Abstract: Method and device are presented for controlling continuous propagation of input multi-frequency light through a tunable frequency selective optical filter so as to selectively direct a selected frequency band of the input light to a dropping/adding output channel of the device. Selective frequency coupling is applied to the input light to split it into first and second light components propagating through first and second spatially separating optical paths, respectively, such that the first light component comprises at least a portion of power of the selected frequency band of the input light, and the second light component comprises the remaining portion of the input light. A phase delay between the first and second optical paths is selectively created by adjusting the phase of the first light component.

Abstract: An optical device and method are presented for use in monitoring at least one optical channel of an input multi-channel light signal.

Abstract: A method is presented for controlling continuous propagation of input light through an optical device having an optical functional element of a controllably adjustable operation to affect light passing therethrough. The input light energy is distributed in a predetermined manner between first and second spatially separated paths, wherein the optical functional element is accommodated in the first path. The first and second paths are recombined downstream of the optical functional element with respect to a direction of light propagation through the device, to produce a light output of the optical device. This allows for directing substailly the entire energy of the input light through the second path, during adjustment of the operation of the functional optical element, and redirecting at least a predetermined portion of the input light to the first path to pass through the functional element, upon completion of the adjustment.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated optical device and such a device, comprising a structure including at least one waveguiding element are presented. A basic structure is formed containing a substrate material carrying a buffer material layer coated with a core material layer of a higher refraction index as compared to that of the buffer layer. The at least one waveguiding element is defined in a guiding layer on top of the basic structure. The guiding layer is made of a material with a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the buffer layer and the core layer, and is chosen so as to minimize a height of the at least one waveguiding element and to provide effective guiding of light in the core layer.

Abstract: A multisegment laser diode structure is presented in the form of two spaced-apart linear waveguide segments and two spaced-apart ring-like waveguide segments, arranged such that each of the ring-like segments is optically coupled to each of the linear waveguide segments. At least one of the waveguide segments includes an active lasing material. The waveguide segments are thus arranged such that four separate electrical contacts can be provided to four waveguide segments, respectively, thereby enabling separate driving of each of the waveguide segments.